Minimise the importance of (4,4) Crossword Clue
Answer: PLAY DOWN (8 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Minimise the importance of (4,4)" with 8 letters is "PLAY DOWN".Play down means to intentionally reduce the perceived importance or significance of something, often to make it seem less serious or impactful than it actually is. It is commonly used to downplay concerns or issues in a conversation or situation.
Why “Play Down” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (4,4) meaning “minimise the importance of.” The answer, PLAY DOWN, fits exactly:
- Minimise the importance of: Play down means to deliberately reduce the significance of something, to make it seem less important than it really is.
- Direct match: With enumeration (4,4), play down perfectly matches the clue structure.
- Everyday idiom: It is a standard phrase in modern English for downplaying situations or facts, making it a natural answer.
The phrase play down is widely used in journalism, politics, and daily language:
- Origin and usage: Derived from the literal sense of “playing quietly or reducing emphasis,” it evolved figuratively to mean diminish importance.
- Contexts: Politicians often “play down” scandals, officials may “play down” risks, and individuals sometimes “play down” their achievements.
- Examples: “The company tried to play down the safety concerns,” or “She played down her success, giving credit to the team.”
Quick crossword clues like “minimise the importance of (4,4)” usually point to idiomatic English phrasal verbs:
- Alternatives such as tone down (4,4) or play off (4,3) might occur, but play down fits both the meaning and exact enumeration.
- The presence of a two-word phrase (4,4) alerts solvers to common idioms rather than single formal synonyms.
- With its perfect length, common usage, and precision, play down is the textbook solution.
